These are the most helpful states in the nation, ranked by volunteering, helping neighbors, tipping, and share of income donated.
Kindness in America doesn’t always announce itself. Sometimes it looks like a neighbor shoveling your sidewalk before you wake up, a volunteer staying late at a food bank, or a server surprised by a generous tip after a long shift. While debates about community spirit and social trust often dominate headlines, new data suggests that in many parts of the country, everyday generosity is quietly alive and well.
To find out where kindness and helpfulness are most deeply rooted, MyCounselor.Online conducted a study analyzing how Americans show up for one another in real, measurable ways. The research examined volunteering rates, charitable giving, neighborly behavior, tipping habits, and even how often kindness appears in everyday online reviews.
1. Utah
Utah claims the top spot by a wide margin, earning a total score of 83.25, far ahead of any other state. Nearly half of Utah’s residents volunteer regularly, giving it the highest volunteer rate in the country at 46.6 percent. The state also ranks first for charitable giving at 62.4 percent and leads the nation in the share of residents who regularly do favors for their neighbors, at 68.2 percent.
Perhaps most striking is Utah’s share of income donated, which stands at 10.6 percent, more than double many other states. While Utah ranks lower for tipping, coming in 40th nationally, the data suggests generosity here shows up more through time, service, and sustained giving than through transactional gestures. Strong community ties, faith-based volunteering, and a culture built around mutual support likely help explain why Utah stands so far ahead.
2. Montana
Montana ranks second overall with a score of 67.53, driven largely by neighborly behavior and social warmth. Sixty-eight percent of residents report doing favors for their neighbors, the second-highest share in the country. Montana also places third nationally for Yelp reviews that mention kindness-related keywords, suggesting friendliness is not just felt, but noticed.
While Montana’s share of income donated is lower than many top states, its tipping rate ranks seventh nationally at 19.5 percent. With fewer people spread across vast rural communities, residents often rely on one another, creating a culture where helping out isn’t optional, it’s part of daily life.
3. Minnesota
Minnesota, long associated with “Minnesota nice,” ranks third with a total score of 64.42. The state places second nationally for charitable giving, with 61 percent of residents donating, and ranks third for volunteerism at just over 40 percent.
Minnesotans also score well across softer measures, including Yelp sentiment and helping neighbors. While tipping rates are more modest, the state’s consistent performance across nearly every metric suggests kindness here is steady and deeply ingrained, rather than flashy or situational.
4. Nebraska
Nebraska ranks fourth overall, posting strong results across nearly every category. Volunteerism and charitable giving both place the state within the national top five, while over 61 percent of residents regularly help their neighbors.
Nebraska’s solid tipping rate and balanced performance point to a culture of practical generosity. In many communities, volunteering and mutual aid are closely tied to schools, churches, and local organizations, helping sustain high engagement even in smaller towns.
5. Colorado
Colorado rounds out the top five with a score of 61.40, boosted by one of the highest rates of neighborly help in the country. More than two-thirds of residents report doing favors for neighbors, ranking third nationally.
While Colorado’s volunteer rate is slightly lower than some Midwest states, its strong charitable giving and above-average income donation suggest generosity often flows through formal organizations and community initiatives, particularly in outdoor and nonprofit sectors.
6. Vermont
Vermont places sixth overall, standing out for its exceptionally high volunteer rate, second only to Utah. Residents are also among the most likely to help neighbors and to mention kindness in online reviews.
Despite ranking near the bottom for share of income donated, Vermont’s culture of hands-on involvement appears to compensate. In small, close-knit communities, giving time often replaces giving money, and the data reflects that tradeoff clearly.
7. Delaware
Delaware ranks seventh with one of the most interesting profiles in the study. While its volunteer and charitable giving rates are more middle-of-the-pack, Delaware ranks first nationally for tipping, with an average tipping rate just over 21 percent.
Combined with a high share of residents helping neighbors, this suggests generosity in Delaware often shows up in everyday interactions, particularly in service settings, even if formal volunteering is less common.
8. Oregon
Oregon takes eighth place with consistently strong performance across volunteering, charitable giving, and income donated. Nearly 36 percent of residents volunteer, and 59 percent participate in charitable giving.
Oregon’s balanced results suggest kindness here is expressed both through structured giving and informal neighborly support, reflecting the state’s strong nonprofit culture and emphasis on community-driven causes.
9. Idaho
Idaho ranks ninth overall, bolstered by one of the highest shares of income donated in the top ten, placing sixth nationally. While its volunteer and neighbor-helping rates are slightly lower than some peers, they remain well above average.
The data suggests Idaho’s generosity often takes the form of financial giving, paired with steady but quieter community involvement.
10. Iowa
Iowa rounds out the top ten with a score of 58.47. The state ranks seventh nationally for helping neighbors and eighth for tipping, indicating generosity frequently shows up in everyday actions.
While charitable giving and income donation are more modest, Iowa’s strong sense of community responsibility continues to shine through, particularly in rural and suburban areas where neighbors rely heavily on one another.
Josh Spurlock, spokesperson for MyCounselor.Online, commented on the study’s findings:
“Kindness tends to grow where people feel connected to one another. When communities are smaller or more engaged, people notice when someone needs help, and they’re more likely to step in.”
He adds that everyday acts matter just as much as formal volunteering.
“Helping a neighbor, checking in on someone, or simply being patient and generous in public spaces all contribute to mental well-being. These small moments create safer, healthier communities.”
He also notes that kindness is something people can actively practice.
“You don’t need a big gesture to make a difference. Volunteering a few hours, supporting a local cause, or showing appreciation to service workers all add up. This data shows that when kindness becomes part of daily life, everyone benefits.”
The full list:
| Rank | State | Volunteer rate | Charitable giving | Share of population who do favors for their neighbors | Share of Yelp reviews mentioning kindndess related keywords across major venues | Tipping rate | Share of income donated | Total score |
| 1 | Utah | 46.6 | 62.4 | 68.2 | 4.8 | 17.97 | 10.6 | 83.25 |
| 2 | Montana | 37.2 | 56.3 | 68 | 5.1 | 19.50 | 4 | 67.53 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 40.3 | 61 | 63.4 | 5 | 18.33 | 4.1 | 64.42 |
| 4 | Nebraska | 40.3 | 59.5 | 61.2 | 4.7 | 19.03 | 4.1 | 62.07 |
| 5 | Colorado | 34.7 | 59.5 | 67.4 | 4.6 | 18.67 | 4.2 | 61.40 |
| 6 | Vermont | 40.5 | 53.7 | 65.1 | 5.2 | 18.70 | 2.8 | 60.69 |
| 7 | Delaware | 32 | 53.7 | 64.8 | 4.1 | 21.03 | 4.4 | 59.22 |
| 8 | Oregon | 35.7 | 59 | 61.3 | 4.7 | 18.70 | 4.6 | 58.81 |
| 9 | Idaho | 34.4 | 55.6 | 60.8 | 4.7 | 18.67 | 6.4 | 58.76 |
| 10 | Iowa | 35.5 | 53.8 | 63.3 | 4.8 | 19.43 | 3.9 | 58.47 |
| 11 | Wyoming | 33.5 | 49.4 | 60.5 | 5.1 | 20.03 | 4.2 | 57.15 |
| 12 | Kansas | 39.6 | 58.4 | 58.4 | 4.4 | 18.70 | 4.8 | 56.67 |
| 13 | Wisconsin | 31.1 | 55.9 | 62.7 | 4.8 | 19.43 | 3.4 | 55.91 |
| 14 | Maine | 34.9 | 53.4 | 62 | 5 | 19.37 | 2.8 | 55.85 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | 29.6 | 60.8 | 59.7 | 5 | 19.37 | 2.5 | 55.79 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 37.8 | 57.3 | 57.4 | 4.9 | 18.50 | 4.1 | 55.65 |
| 17 | Alaska | 33.6 | 50.4 | 60.8 | 4.8 | 18.70 | 4.3 | 51.03 |
| 18 | North Dakota | 30.7 | 57.9 | 55.9 | 4.9 | 18.70 | 3.5 | 50.28 |
| 19 | Tennessee | 33.2 | 53.2 | 56.8 | 4.1 | 18.63 | 6.6 | 49.05 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 31 | 56.5 | 62.3 | 3.9 | 18.97 | 3.9 | 48.43 |
| 21 | South Carolina | 28.8 | 51.3 | 57.8 | 4.1 | 19.33 | 6.4 | 48.03 |
| 22 | Ohio | 30.3 | 53.6 | 57.9 | 4.1 | 19.80 | 4.1 | 47.71 |
| 23 | Indiana | 33.1 | 51.6 | 55.4 | 4.1 | 19.67 | 4.5 | 46.37 |
| 24 | Washington | 32.8 | 55.7 | 59.5 | 4.6 | 17.23 | 4.1 | 45.98 |
| 25 | Missouri | 29.8 | 53.1 | 59.3 | 4.1 | 19.03 | 4.4 | 45.80 |
| 26 | Virginia | 31.6 | 54.6 | 57 | 4.2 | 18.30 | 4.8 | 45.06 |
| 27 | Maryland | 32.8 | 55.5 | 55.6 | 3.7 | 18.40 | 5.7 | 43.83 |
| 28 | Connecticut | 37.4 | 56.9 | 52.5 | 4 | 18.10 | 3.3 | 41.48 |
| 29 | Hawaii | 29.4 | 50.6 | 48.3 | 5.5 | 17.67 | 4.5 | 41.21 |
| 30 | West Virginia | 23 | 44.5 | 58.3 | 4.4 | 20.37 | 3.9 | 41.02 |
| 31 | Oklahoma | 31.5 | 49.1 | 52.7 | 4.3 | 18.37 | 5.6 | 40.44 |
| 32 | Kentucky | 27.5 | 47.1 | 51.3 | 4.3 | 19.73 | 4.8 | 39.10 |
| 33 | Michigan | 26.4 | 49.4 | 57.4 | 4 | 18.93 | 4.5 | 38.72 |
| 34 | Illinois | 30.3 | 54.5 | 56.1 | 3.8 | 18.13 | 4.2 | 38.64 |
| 35 | Massachusetts | 33.1 | 54.9 | 57 | 3.8 | 18.17 | 2.8 | 38.50 |
| 36 | Arkansas | 28.2 | 50.5 | 50.2 | 4.3 | 17.97 | 6.3 | 37.57 |
| 37 | Rhode Island | 18.5 | 56.4 | 58.8 | 4 | 19.00 | 3.1 | 37.56 |
| 38 | North Carolina | 24.9 | 49.7 | 49.3 | 4.2 | 18.77 | 5.9 | 35.81 |
| 39 | Arizona | 30 | 49.1 | 52.4 | 4.1 | 18.23 | 4.6 | 35.24 |
| 40 | Alabama | 19.9 | 45.6 | 47.3 | 4.2 | 18.60 | 7.1 | 30.19 |
| 41 | New Jersey | 25.7 | 54.6 | 54.4 | 3.6 | 17.37 | 3.7 | 29.26 |
| 42 | Georgia | 25.6 | 46.1 | 47.3 | 4 | 18.07 | 6.2 | 28.55 |
| 43 | Mississippi | 20.9 | 41.5 | 50.3 | 4.2 | 18.10 | 7.2 | 28.32 |
| 44 | Texas | 27.4 | 46 | 49.1 | 3.9 | 17.97 | 5.1 | 27.48 |
| 45 | Louisiana | 23.5 | 45 | 51.5 | 4 | 17.83 | 5.3 | 26.87 |
| 46 | New Mexico | 20.3 | 42.1 | 47.7 | 4.6 | 18.47 | 4.5 | 25.34 |
| 47 | New York | 25.5 | 46.4 | 51 | 3.3 | 17.70 | 4.7 | 21.66 |
| 48 | California | 24.1 | 43 | 50.8 | 3.9 | 16.63 | 4.4 | 18.08 |
| 49 | Florida | 20.4 | 40.2 | 47.5 | 3.8 | 17.43 | 4.6 | 14.07 |
| 50 | Nevada | 18.6 | 39.6 | 45.7 | 3.9 | 17.53 | 3.9 | 10.92 |
Methodology
The study evaluated all 50 U.S. states across six equally weighted metrics: volunteer rate, charitable giving rate, share of income donated, share of residents who regularly do favors for neighbors, share of Yelp reviews mentioning kindness-related keywords across major venues, and average tipping rate. Each metric was weighted at 16.7 percent, standardized, and combined to produce a total score out of 100.
Sources: USAFacts, AmeriCorps Civic Engagement and Volunteering Dashboard, Yelp, LendingTree, CNN Money